We are a third sector Early Years Centre based in West Kilbride with access to a large garden and forest area. Our aim is to get our children outside as much as possible in the nursery day. This has proved to greatly enhance their mental and physical wellbeing but it can mean that we are out in all weathers given the Scottish climate. We are looking to try to make our children and staff as comfortable as possible whilst outside so that passing showers or the colder weather is easier to brave.
Description
We spend a significant amount of the nursery day in our outdoor garden and forest area. We are focussed on giving our children the best experience at our nursery and so the skill sets the children develop outside and the opportunities for different ways to play here are a large part of their learning at WKEYC. Being able to use our outdoor space so well, builds the children's confidence and resilience to playing outside in all weathers. In order to provide this we always consider both the children and staff's well being and how best to cater for their comfort.
Therefore we are asking for some smaller items that will make a big difference to their time in the garden. We are hoping for mobile hand wash stations for warm handwashing outside which is key to children's health and wellbeing; tarpaulins for shelter and ground cover with a tougher tarpolin required as this needs to be robust enough in the stormier weather; facilities for hot drinks for staff and children to allow them to cintinue for longer outside and feel happier doing so; hand and feet warmers for staff (children are catered for already) and portable seating for staff to take five minutes whilst out in the garden - the children have these facilities in their log chairs.
Although small these items will have a direct impact on everyone's mental and physical health. Staff will feel valued and appreciated in their workplace as we try our best to keep them warm and dry and everyone will benefit from being outdoors, learning in a different environment. This is proven to aid in their overall health and promote other ways to learn. In some cases, this will also provide an element of play they may not receive at home promoting equal opportunites for our children.
Below are the items we would love to be able to provide for our children and staff.
Insulated Mobile Hand wash station x 3 (£204) = £612
Tarpaulin (3m x 4m) for groundsheet = £11.99
Tarpaulin (waterproof and storm proof) for shelter = £75.36
Travel Chairs x 4 (£10) = £40
Hot drink dispenser x 3 (£24.99) = £74.97
Travel mugs for staff x 8 (£9.88) = £79.04
Warm insoles for wellies ( £5.98 for 2 pairs) = £23.92
Hand warmers (40 pk) = £26.49
Total £943.77
There is a document attached with the links to the products we are looking at. As these are live links prices may have varied (especially on Amazon) from when we have looked at these - we will endeavour to purchase as close to these prices as possible.
Location: We are an Early Years establishment that has been located at West Kilbride Community Centre for nearly 60 years evolving from a play group initially. We have sole use of the Community Centre garden during nursery hours which is a key asset to our nursery providing the children with great learning opportunities and fun in an outside environment. It benefits from a a wooded area but lacks shelter and so anything we can do to make staff and children more comfortable here is sought after. Similarly there are no outdoor water facilities here and so having the ability to wash hands in warm water outside particularly in winter months would be a great help for the children's health and for their comfort.
Proposed on behalf of: West Kilbride Early Years Centre
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